I have a 2010 Grand Sport. I need tires. First time buying, first vette,have alot of questions .

1. Do I continue to run run flats ?
2. If so, what brand will give me the best performance and best mileage ? Michelin pilot sport cup ps32zp, goodyear eagel f1, bridgestone,potenza pp rft
3. Why would you use non run flats and what brand ?
Thanks alot of money and want to make the right decision and I am new to all of this !

 

I use my Vet (07 with over 100,000 miles) as a DD so I like run flat tires. IMO the firestone firehawks wide ovals are a great tire at a good price!

 

Pilot sports imo.

Hands down the best run flat tire .

 

I prefer non-run-flats because: they're lighter, quieter, have more compliant sidewalls (better ride and handling), there's a greater selection and they're less expensive. Downside is you have to be better prepared if you get a flat (makeshift repair kit with liquid sealer at the risk of fouling up a TPS monitor). Lots of threads on tire recommendations if you decide to go non-RF.
Good luck!
Ed

 

I agree with Ed...I have a stock 06-c6...after doing much research...I am switch from RFT (GY EMT) to non run flat design..looking for a quieter and smoother ride...Geico emergency road side assistance costs about $25 to add the policy if you get a flat...in case you dont have Triple A..so skip the run flats....

Ps..I am looking at Continental Extreme Contact DW & Firestone Fire Hawk wide ovals for about $1k ...they should give about 30k miles if you dont lay into them too much...will update this blog when I pull the trigger

BM Brightwaters, NY

 

I dont want to ruin one of my CCW wheels and they just make life easier for me. I prefer the RF's. I have Bridgestone Pole Positions on my car and like them better than the GY's. Quieter, little better stick and a higher wear rating. Not to mention a little cheaper than GY.

 

For my DD, RF's is the way to go. I left work one night and had a nail in my tire with no pressure, so I drove home and had the tire replaced the next day. I also do a lot of HWY driving and there is no place to pull over, but with RF's you do not have to worry about that, you just keep on driving.

 

Run flats on a performance car are a serious compromise. I don't want to damage my wheels either (CCW) but that's why I have insurance.

Tire performance and mileage are at opposite ends of the spectrum, so you can have the best performance or mileage, not both. Similar to the light, strong, cheap argument (Pick any two).

San

 

Buy some Nitto Invos and a tire plug kit or if you dont have the strength to plug use the canned goop stuff. You will be 10X happier with your car. It will ride smoother, quieter, handle better......and many other brands to choose from at a lesser price than RF's.

I have seen alot of people using Continentals Extreme Contacts (you can do a search).

 

These are all good. Go with runflats unless you want to be stranded in a bad place one night with a flat in the rain. Ignore all the drivel about non runflats being quieter, smoother etc, it's not true. Also, non runflats don't handle better. I've raced my car with both and there is no difference. The only advantage of non runflats is they are cheaper.

 

Straight line traction, ride, and noise improved significantly when I switched.

I put my stock rims & RF back on for the winter to protect my aftermarket rims and because a flat tire in 30* weather is something I don't want to deal with.

 

Actually, Shelley I disagree with the above statement but only for those whom want real performance from their car. Additionally, a large percentage of people would completely disagree that a run-flat can come even close to a std tire relative to how smooth your car would ride. However, Goatts is correct in one respect. If you are stuck on the side of the road and you dont feel comfortable "repairing" the tire or you find yourself in a seedy part of town I would highly suggest sticking with runflats. I put runflats on my Mothers car for those very reasons. If you ever want to track your car I would highly suggest buying a second set of wheels and tires.

 

OP--There are many valid comments listed above to assert varying opinions and most of them have credibility. Know this: The C6 Corvette is a car which, of necessity, deserves an Ultra-Pereformance tire--Period. Having said that, be advised that there is no such thing as an Ultra-Performance tire made for winter driving conditions--Period. The choice to have or not to have runflat tires is only a question of safety and security. That is to say, your Corvette is not equipped with a spare tire. The ONLY alternative to being able to drive home or to a repair facility safely under NEARLY all tire failure conditions is to use runflat tires. So, knowing these facts is important in order to make a decision as to which tires to use in the prevailing conditions which you will experience. You may find, for example, that it may be prudent to have (2) sets of tires, depending on your driving needs--perhaps (1) set suitable for winter driving--an A/S (All season) which is NOT an Ultra-Performance tire, and (1) set of tires for spirited driving during more favorable weather/driving conditions. You may want to check-out TireRack.com where you can punch-in your vehicle/ tire sizes and see how the different tires compare in performance and price. They post user recommendations to validate their info. The choice then is yours. Happy hunting.

 

Depends on how you define/measue "real" performance. I choose to measure it by lap times. Switching between various street tires and between runflat and non runflat tires is not going to improve your lap times. But you can shave off 2 or 3 seconds if you switch to sticky track tires.

As far as tracking you certainly don't need a second set of wheels. I run in Group 1S which is all stock on street tires.

Non runflats are not quieter. This was proven by Corvette Fever magazine several years ago. Also, why would they be smoother? There is a lot of misinformation on the forum about the sidewalls being stiffer on the runflats which is not true. The fact is that there is not much difference between runflats and non runflats.

 

Yes that is how I feel. I am a woman who drives alone and lives in the country. If I broke down I can only imagine who would stop to help me. One good thing most of my joy riding is during daylight but still now a days you need to becareful. There are alot of nuts out there and driving a nice expensive car need I say more. So I want to stick with the BEST run flats. Money is not an issue for tires for many reasons. So please help me and tell me what would you recommend ? Thank you.

 

They don't make the size tires on a grand sport yet.

 

How about these: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....pe&tab=Reviews

 

Shelley - I would go with the Michelin ZP as suggested.

 

I can hear the noise difference. I also noticed that the auto volume control on the Bose can hear the noise as its adjustments are much more noticeable with my runflats on than when my Invos are on.
The fact that the tire does not compress to the rim without air tells you something about the sidewall. But, I don't need to know anything about the technology to feel it. My Invos ride better.

I know some reports are not as accurate because many switch at the end of the tire life when any new tire seems much better than the worn-out tire. I go back and forth between a good set of GY SC runflats and my Invos, so it is not a case of comparing a worn out set of runflats with new tires.

 

Shelly I love my Michelin pilot sport ZPs, and with ZPs I can always get home.